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Texas Public Archaeology Network

Beyond TxBOX - Additional Teaching Resources

Numerous resources already developed by other university programs and museums are readily available to teachers. Find some options at the links below. If you know of a resource, let us know, and we will add it to our list!

Other Traveling and Museum in a Box Style Resources:

University of Texas Rio Grande Valley CHAPS Program: Background: The CHAPS program at UTRGV (University of Texas Rio Grande Valley) is a Community Historical Archaeology Project with Schools, established in 2009, focused on preserving and showcasing the history of the Rio Grande Valley.  They have developed a traveling Civil War Museum Trunk and smaller education boxes on broader archaeology for local schools, as well as other educational materials.

The Nimitz Museum (Pacific War Museum): “Nimitz Museum Educator Resources” – The Nimitz Museum, based in Fredericksburg, Texas, has recently designed a traveling trunk museum for educators to showcase World War 2 History within their classrooms. In addition to the box, they have developed lesson plans, additional materials, and resources for teacher use. - https://www.pacificwarmuseum.org/education/educators/resources

Additional available teaching resources, including lesson plans, virtual museum tours, or activities for students: 

Bullock Texas History Museum: “Bullock Museum Educator Resources” Background: This website offers interactive and live distance learning programs that connect classrooms with museum educators for Texas history lessons. They also provide student activities for when visiting the museum, or can be completed in the classroom - https://www.thestoryoftexas.com/education/educators

Education in Action: “Discover Texas Field Trips in a Box” Background: Provides virtual guided tours of the most significant Texas sites, like the Alamo and even the Texas State Capitol, which allows students to look over history remotely. - https://educationinaction.org/discover-texas-field-trips-in-a-box

Texas Science & Natural History Museum: “Texas Science & Natural History Educator Resources” Background: “Offers TEKS-aligned packets for PreK-12 students, designated. To supplement classroom instruction before, during, and after museum visits.” - https://sciencemuseum.utexas.edu/education/educator-resources

 San Jacinto Museum: “San Jacinto Museum Teacher Resources” Background: Gives a variety of resources for teachers interested in sharing Texas history, which tailored for all grade levels. - https://www.sanjacinto-museum.org/Learn/For_Teachers/ 

NASA: “NASA Museum in a Box”  Background: This website brings the physical sciences tailored to students in grades K-12 through hands-on lessons, which are ideal for educators at schools and museums. It provides diverse learning opportunities for students. - https://www.nasa.gov/stem-content/museum-in-a-box/

Texas Beyond History “Teachers” Background: The overall website has information on archaeological sites around the state, but also contains a variety of lesson plans - https://www.texasbeyondhistory.net/teach/lessons.html

Portal of Texas History Resources for Educators

TPWD “Classroom Resources” Background: TPWD has videos, lessons, in-person events, and teacher trainings available  https://tpwd.texas.gov/education/resources

TxDOT “Resources for Educators” – Background: TxDOT has a variety of resources on Archaeology, History, Texas Tribes, and Science including Lesson Plans and Activity Guides https://www.txdot.gov/about/campaigns-outreach/beyond-the-road-campaign/resources-for-educators.html

Texas Historical Commission: 

  • “Learning Resources” – Background: THC has a well-developed website with lists by subject area of lesson plans, activity guides, a series of videos on useful subjects for Texas History, and some developed lesson plans. https://thc.texas.gov/learn/learning-resources 
  • YouTube “Virtual Learning Series” – Background: THC has a series of videos on various topics relevant to Texas History and K-12 subjects. https://www.youtube.com/@TxHistComm

Headwaters of the Comal “Archaeology” – Background: A rare site with a deep record was uncovered during a project at the Headwaters of the Comal in New Braunfels, Texas.  The excavations at the site were documented with a series of interesting videos on the excavations. A link to a video series from archaeologists who excavated at the Headwaters at the Comal: https://headwatersatthecomal.com/the-headwaters/historical-information/archaeology/

Society for American Archaeology (SAA) “K-12 Archaeology Activities and Resources” Background: a series of lessons and activities on archaeology developed by the largest national professional organization of archaeologists - https://www.saa.org/education-outreach/teaching-archaeology/k-12-activities-resources

University of North Texas “Texas History for Teachers” Background: a website by the University of North Texas with lesson plans, activity guides, and a series of resources for a variety of Texas History topics - https://education.texashistory.unt.edu/lessons/notebook/IndiansSE/